5 Dollars, Massachusetts & California Co., United States, 1849

Description:

This five dollar coin was produced by the Massachusetts and California Company around 1849. James Marshall’s 1848 discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill kicked off the California gold rush and changed the wealth and reach of the nation as gold was suddenly in plentiful supply and the population was shifting westward. As the government lagged behind the gold rush to mint its own coins, private businesses filled the void in the market. The Massachusetts and California Company operated from 1849 until 1854, most likely bringing gold back to Northampton, Massachusetts, to be minted. Contemporary reports note that the five dollar piece was debased with copper, indicative of coins minted in the east. On the obverse, or front, of the coin are arms holding a spear; a bear and a stag stand on either side of the shield showing a vaquero throwing a lasso. A scroll with “ALTA” appears below the arms. On the reverse is a laurel wreath tied with bow with twenty stars arrayed around. The coin reads “5 Dollars” in the center. The rim reads “MASSACHUSETTS & CALIFORNIA CO 1849.”

Date Made: 1849

Maker: Massachusetts and California Co.

Place Made: United States: CaliforniaPlace Of Issue: United States: California

See more items in: Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection, American Enterprise, Coins, Currency and Medals, Josiah K. Lilly Jr. Collection

Exhibition: American Enterprise

Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

Credit Line: Estate of Josiah K. Lilly

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: NU.68.159.1158Accession Number: 283645Catalog Number: 68.159.1158

Object Name: coin

Physical Description: gold (overall metal)0 (overall die axis)0 (overall die axis measurement)struck (overall production method)Measurements: overall: .2 cm x 2.2 cm; 3/32 in x 7/8 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-21ab-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1101723

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.